The 2013 Ford Focus ST has the horsepower advantage, producing 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4. That power is transmitted to the front wheels, which naturally results in a significant amount of torque steer. Helping to correct that problem is the brake-based torque-vectoring control system, which reduces understeer when driving aggressively. In contrast, the 2013 Subaru BRZ’s lightweight, rear-drive chassis helps explain its natural handling prowess. Though it makes significantly less power at 200 hp and 151 lb-ft from its 2.0-liter flat-4, the boxer engine’s low center of gravity and mid-ship placement in the chassis give the car unrivaled balance.

In our tests, the BRZ accelerated from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds, while the Focus ST was able to reach the same speed in 5.9 seconds. The Focus ST was unsurprisingly also quicker in the quarter-mile, posting a 14.6-second time at 95.9 mph versus the BRZ’s 15.0 seconds at 93.0 mph. At the track, with pro racer Randy Pobst behind the wheel, the two cars were a second apart at 01:29:27 for the Focus ST, and 01:30:32 for the BRZ.

I'm in the market for a fun new car, been diving an 02 Mazda Protege ES with complete Mazda Speed Suspension for almost 12 years. On tight twisting mountain roads (where straight line speed is no advantage) very few cars ever keep up and far less ever leave me. Any straights involved and I'm left by almost everything. Really want to go back to rear wheel drive for a change.

I have test driven new MX 5 and BRZ my problem with both of those cars is that I got out thinking ok if I spend 6.5K for turbo or Super charger kit with install I will have the car I want.

I will test drive a Focus ST tomorrow, watching all the videos I'm thinking well if I get a set of coil overs with right springs and anti roll bars (5K), HSE 300 kit (1.5K) I will have the car I want. I'm going to keep an open mind.

I love Mazdas but the MS3 is just to butt ugly to consider. Just seems to me Mazda, Subaru, and Ford step up a bit to get it right from the factory.

I test drove the Focus and the FR-S I bought the FR-S because while the ford is faster it didn't have much room for improvement the BRZ/FR-S can fit most Subaru turbos and see more than 300hp. It isn't hard to make one of them very good at the track and at only one second apart on the track I feel that it's extra 50hp isn't doing all that much for it compared to what the BRZ would be if you bolted on an extra 50hp.

Both cars look nice, but one is a hatch and front wheel drive vs. a rear wheel drive non-hatch. Aside from the below $30k price and both cars being designed to have fun driving, the two cars really shouldn't be classified together. I prefer seeing the ST being campared to the likes of the GTI and Mazda Speed3, and you could throw in the WRX.

Based on article asking which would I spend my money on for an under $30k car, you really can't go wrong in my opinion, but I have purchased the ST after they first came out. Both have a nice outside look, but the ST beats the BRZ and FR-S interior by far. It isn't only the quality of the interiors build and material, but also the tech and layout that wraps around you in the ST. Add in fact that the ST has little road noise compared to the BRZ and FR-S, 4 doors with back seats, superior Infotainment system (once updated to latest version), and 32mpg highway makes for me a superior daily driver.

Gotta go with the BRZ of the two, but if it were my $26, I'd likely end up with a base manual transmission V6 Camaro or Performance Package V6 Mustang (or possibly wimp out and buy a Pentastar / Automatic Challenger). I'll be interested in seeing how much of a challenge the Dart SRT-4 gives the ST if and when it debuts.

The difference in track time comes down strictly to rubber. The ST wears max performance summer tires. The BRZ wears low rolling resistance summer touring tires. Those tires are an optional tire for the European Prius.

Road and Track did a comparison of the WRX, Mazdaspeed 3, and Scion FR-S. On stock tires, the FR-S was almost 1 second slower than the WRX and almost 2 seconds slower than the Mazdaspeed 3. By swapping its tires for equitable summer rubber to the MS3 and WRX and keeping the same exact diameter and width, the FR-S was .6 seconds FASTER than the MS3 and 1.3 seconds FASTER than the WRX.

So once you wear out the OEM rubber, you can swap on some stickier tires without even having to change your wheels and end up with a better handling vehicle than a stock ST that will also beat it on track... all while keeping your warranty and wallet perfectly intact.

I voted with my money when I bought an ST in November. Put the specs side by side and it's just more car for the money in every sense. Compare the power, performance, practicality, efficiency, functionality, tech, etc. ST is just a better choice generally, but especially for those that need/want 4 doors, a functional rear seat, daily errand duties, elementary school car line, or even for the drive-to-the-track-loaded-with-tires-lunch-spares-drive-home factor.

BTW, it's a bit hard to take MT's criticism of the ST being "juvenile", brash, and a bit of handful, too seriously when we see the drivers smiling so broadly while enjoying some of that juvenile brashness in MT's evaluation video. Fact is that car guys (and gals) love that kinda stuff... it makes the cars vicerally fun, in addition to being mechanically capable.

BTW, calling the RECAROs "disappointing"? What the hell seat is in your daily driver?

Not really an academic choice for me. I had the choice and voted with my wallet. I got the Focus ST after test driving both. I have no problem staying on BRZ/FRS tails in the twisty roads of the Santa Monica Mountains, which aren't known for their long straights.

Why BRZ? Test drove one..... while steering feel is awesome and outside is gorgeous, there is no power. That being said, i would buy a used one because there is no way im forking out 25k when i could get a WRX with AWD and TURBO

The BRZ wins every comparison, because, although it doesn't actually win any metrics, it gets similar numbers to the competition without raising the drivers pulse rate to dangerous levels. Pobst posted a better lap time in the ST but a not-quite-so-experienced driver would probably get better times in the BRZ. Same holds true of the V6 Mustang. The BRZ is simply a more refined car that doesn't need to be tamed by it's driver

If I was in the small sports car market, then the BRZ is a pretty slick option. If I was in the hot hatch market, then the ST is a pretty slick option. That being said, if I was really in the performance compact market, it would be because I want some level of performance with practicality, and laugh as you may, but the Verano Turbo gets my dime because its got the power in a package with classier looks and a way better interior and ride quality while sacrificing some of the performance and a lot of the 16 year old down the street that the ST has.

BR-Z is the Hands down winner. Great steering feel, low center of gravity, very light weight, and an appealing starting price. No one cares about power or Torque if you have wonderful steering and handling. The Ford may win in a straight line but lets face it, in a mountain road, BR-Z wins on every corner.

This comparison is all about the pricing, and at less than 30 grand the choice is simple. Make enough for two vehicles its the BRZ and whatever family car. Poor-ish than the ST is all the car you'll need. I'd get the brash hot hatch, for sure.

@cfwags1 I like the ST, Ford did a very good job. All the things you mentioned is what I would look for in a SUV not a sports car. For me the BRZ drives so much better. I love the very basic interior with the excellent driving position and seats. If what you mentioned are your priorities you definitely picked the right car. The BRZ Infotainment is 20 times worst than Ford's sync.

This article and several I have read show the numbers of the ST beats all the competition in acceleration, power, breaking and handling just about every time. Also voted most car for the money by one of these car review articles I've read. Sorry it was a while back I read it or I'd post the URL. The ST is a beast in acceleration, handling, breaking, and overall ride quality for a car that you can by starting at $23,700. I can't see how anyone based on the numbers being posted in all these ST vs. articles can defend their alternative choices aside from preference of Looks or Rear vs Front vs AWD.

I have not driven and really don't care if driving the BRZ and FR-S gives more realistic feedback if the end result is an A whoopin from red light to red light and on the track. I have owned a couple of Eclispse including a sweet 96 Turbo, a couple Audi's (1 with 300+hp), and I still own a 2007 Honda Civic SI. Most of these cars give you that road feedback, and trust me, the ST is in a far superior class of a car than any of these and a heck of a fun to drive! Yes there is a learning curve getting used to it, but learning has been half the fun!

@DarkBuddha And criticizing the paint scheme? It's available in different colors. Note to Ford: in the future, only send Motor Trend cars in black, with the full leather seats. And only in something like black, also.

The ST is the first FWD car I've owned (or would own), and it makes it easy to go around turns fast. You only need one skill when the rear end breaks loose as you hit the apex at ridiculous speeds: mash the pedal to the floor. It's addictive.

Also, the following are conventional automotive wisdom: RWD puts power the the ground more efficiently; The car with a better power to weight ratio will go faster in a straight line; the car with a lower COG will go faster around turns; the car with less weight will go faster around turns. The BRZ has every single one of those. And yet the 5 door, FWD, heavier, lower power to weight ratio, higher COG Focus ST beat it on a tight, twisty track. The ST is also comfortable as a daily driver and practical. The BRZ is a failure in every category it's supposed to be superior in.

So how in Satan's balls could the BRZ be superior? With all it's advantages it must handle worse and be slower in the world of reality to lose. Is this a religious thing? Like a RWD religion? Thou shalt have no FWD cars before me?

@Toycrusher you have obviously never driven a ST. It is as tame or as wild and fun as you want it to be and it does both exceptionally well. Leave all the electronic assists on if you are worried about your heart or turn them off if you want to have a more in touch feel. As far as refined goes the BRZ has nothing on the ST.

@cfwags1 Chrysler will most likely limit its output so it will not outrun the Charger. The old days of dumping 300+ hp in a 3000 pound FWD inexpensive car are done. The old SRT only had to be slower than the Viper.

@Chad Hensley@Toycrusher I drove the ST, Although its has 50+ more HP than the BRZ it is far more difficult to get consistent times. Turn off the traction control and you have to baby it out of the hole. Turn it on and it fights you. It is not quite cooked. Ford could have done better. If I were to go FWD Hot hatch the far more balanced, consistent and faster DSG GTI would be my pick.

@Jerry Supple@Yoma If i haven't driven a car, i would not criticize it. I have driven both for your information. The ST is a good car but the numb steering feel makes it a not so fun car around corners. BR-Z is far more fun, but not much ponies packed in the small engine. Subaru and Toyota's goal was not to make the car fast and powerful, but to make the car a affordable and well balanced all around car.

@MoparMuscle56@Greg G I have driven the Focus ST. The base Fiesta is just as entertaining to drive. I think unless ford dumbs it down the ST Fiesta will be a better more balanced car than it s Focus counterpart for $2000 less. The 2600 pound 200 hp Fiesta ST may even outperform the BRZ. The Focus ST is heavy and requires to many mine numbing corrections to come close to the BRZ. The ST is a fine effort on Fords part.

@Yoma@MoparMuscle56@Greg G Yeah, because basic physics is on the Fiesta's side, Ford somehow lied. I'm not here waving a banner for Ford, but you are clearly waving one for it's competition in this matchup. I pointed out the ST is better in everyway possible, yet lost, only because MT says so. Despite having the numbers right in your face, you still think the ST isn't as good. I think that could qualify as dumb possibly.

@Frisky_Dingo @Greg G @MoparMuscle56 Umm, a fiesta has a Lamborghini beat on handling too, but it still gets slaughtered by it. Apparently the handling isn't that great anyway if it gets best out by a 4 door hatch around the track. This shows so much bias on MT's part. It gets beat in every way and they still pick it. Then you buy into their logic.